Ocala Rampage ousted by South Lexington

South Lexington's Grant Stone-Hall scores as Ocala's Deric Fabian waits on the throw in a Cal Ripken World Series semifinal on Friday.

Bruce Ackerman/Staff photographer

By Richard BurtonCorrespondent

Published: Friday, August 16, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 12:18 a.m.

The magic finally ran out for the Ocala Rampage in the Under-10 Cal Ripken World Series.

After rallying from deficits of six and seven runs over its past two games, the Rampage couldn't muster another comeback and fell to South Lexington (Ky.) 16-7 in the tournament semifinals on Friday night at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex.

With the loss, Ocala was eliminated from the tournament, while South Lexington advances to the championship game this morning at 10 against Visalia (Calif.). South Lexington, the No. 2 seed from the National Division, knocked off Visalia 9-7 during pool play.

Despite the loss, the Rampage accomplished a great deal.

“I heard a rumor that we were the first host team to win its pool (in the Under-10 World Series) which is pretty cool,” Ocala coach Eric Fabian said. “The boys battled and represented the community very well.

“I can't say enough about how great the fan support was during the tournament. It was packed here every night and it was a great atmosphere.”

Ocala (4-1) went unbeaten during pool play and was the top seed out of the American Division, but never could catch South Lexington (5-1) after the Kentucky squad scored six times in the third, which broke a 5-all tie.

The Rampage, who used timely hitting throughout the tournament, were outscored 11-2 over the final four innings and finished the game 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.

Ocala had no answer for South Lexington's Jason Ovideo, who went 3--for-4 at the plate with four runs scored, two RBI and a home run. Oviedo, whose two-run homer was the key early blast in South Lexington's win over Visalia earlier in the tournament, also struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of scorless relief.

For the game, South Lexington finished with 16 hits.

Bryce Travis (2-for-5, two doubles, two runs scored, two RBI), Samuel Tackett (2-for-3, four runs scored, two RBI, home run), Garrett Stone-Hall (3-for-5, three runs scored, two RBI, triple), Christopher Gilbert (3-for-5, three RBI), Carson Caudill (1-for-3, RBI) and R.J. McNeely (1-for-4, two runs scored) led the way for South Lexington, which won its second straight after a 10-0 loss to West Raleigh cost it the top spot in the National Division.

Ocala, meanwhile, trailed early 5-2, but scored three times in the bottom of the second to tie things up.

South Lexington, though, opened things up in the top of the third and the hosts couldn't catch up.

Starks and Fabian combined to reach base in 31 of 42 plate appearances during the tournament.

Swinford (8-for-16), Starks (8-for-15, home run 11 runs scored) and Fabian (7-for-16, two homers, six RBI, nine runs scored) were the top hitters for the Rampage during the tournament.

VISALIA (Calif.) 8, WEST RALEIGH (N.C.) 4: With its back against the wall for the second straight night in the elimination round, Visalia avenged an earlier loss to West Raleigh and earned its way into today's championship round.

Visalia, 6-3 losers to West Raleigh earlier in the tournament, jumped to an 8-0 lead after three innings of play and never looked back.

Creech was also the winning pitcher for Visalia, which entered the single-elimination round with a .297 average, lowest of the six qualifying teams, but the Californians made the most of their hits and continued their run with their third straight win after a 1-2 start.

Visalia needed a win over Newtown (Conn.) on Wednesday to qualify as the National Division's No. 3 seed and has made the most of its chance with 27 runs in two elimination-round games.

West Raleigh outhit Visalia 9-7, but never could get into a groove.

Coming off a bye on Thursday, the North Carolina squad, the champions of the National Division, allowed eight runs over its four games of the tournament, but couldn't keep Visalia at bay.

In the opening inning, Visalia scored three times and added two more in the second, before a three-spot in the third.

West Raleigh added a pair of runs in both the third and fifth innings, however, left two runners in base during its attempted rally in the fifth.

Jewett then got out of another two-on situation in the bottom of the sixth inning to preserve the win for Visalia.

<p>The magic finally ran out for the Ocala Rampage in the Under-10 Cal Ripken World Series.</p><p>After rallying from deficits of six and seven runs over its past two games, the Rampage couldn't muster another comeback and fell to South Lexington (Ky.) 16-7 in the tournament semifinals on Friday night at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex.</p><p>With the loss, Ocala was eliminated from the tournament, while South Lexington advances to the championship game this morning at 10 against Visalia (Calif.). South Lexington, the No. 2 seed from the National Division, knocked off Visalia 9-7 during pool play.</p><p>Despite the loss, the Rampage accomplished a great deal.</p><p>“I heard a rumor that we were the first host team to win its pool (in the Under-10 World Series) which is pretty cool,” Ocala coach Eric Fabian said. “The boys battled and represented the community very well.</p><p>“I can't say enough about how great the fan support was during the tournament. It was packed here every night and it was a great atmosphere.”</p><p>Ocala (4-1) went unbeaten during pool play and was the top seed out of the American Division, but never could catch South Lexington (5-1) after the Kentucky squad scored six times in the third, which broke a 5-all tie.</p><p>The Rampage, who used timely hitting throughout the tournament, were outscored 11-2 over the final four innings and finished the game 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.</p><p>Ocala had no answer for South Lexington's Jason Ovideo, who went 3--for-4 at the plate with four runs scored, two RBI and a home run. Oviedo, whose two-run homer was the key early blast in South Lexington's win over Visalia earlier in the tournament, also struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of scorless relief.</p><p>For the game, South Lexington finished with 16 hits.</p><p>Bryce Travis (2-for-5, two doubles, two runs scored, two RBI), Samuel Tackett (2-for-3, four runs scored, two RBI, home run), Garrett Stone-Hall (3-for-5, three runs scored, two RBI, triple), Christopher Gilbert (3-for-5, three RBI), Carson Caudill (1-for-3, RBI) and R.J. McNeely (1-for-4, two runs scored) led the way for South Lexington, which won its second straight after a 10-0 loss to West Raleigh cost it the top spot in the National Division.</p><p>Ocala, meanwhile, trailed early 5-2, but scored three times in the bottom of the second to tie things up.</p><p>South Lexington, though, opened things up in the top of the third and the hosts couldn't catch up.</p><p>Trenton Swinford (2-for-4, two runs scored, three RBI, double), Deric Fabian (1-for-3, run scored), D'Ante Starks (1-for-3, three runs scored), Jacob Walton (1-for-2, RBI) and and Pierson Graham (1-for-3, RBI) paced Ocala at the plate.</p><p>Starks and Fabian combined to reach base in 31 of 42 plate appearances during the tournament.</p><p>Swinford (8-for-16), Starks (8-for-15, home run 11 runs scored) and Fabian (7-for-16, two homers, six RBI, nine runs scored) were the top hitters for the Rampage during the tournament.</p><p><b>VISALIA (Calif.) 8, WEST RALEIGH (N.C.) 4:</b> With its back against the wall for the second straight night in the elimination round, Visalia avenged an earlier loss to West Raleigh and earned its way into today's championship round.</p><p>Visalia, 6-3 losers to West Raleigh earlier in the tournament, jumped to an 8-0 lead after three innings of play and never looked back.</p><p>Riley Creech (two hits, double, RBI), Luke Jewett (double, RBI), Ty Uber (RBI), Samuel Felsted (one hit, two RBI), Dakota Brown (one hit) and Coby Barnes (one hit) paced Visalia (4-2) in the win over previously unbeaten West Raleigh (4-1).</p><p>Creech was also the winning pitcher for Visalia, which entered the single-elimination round with a .297 average, lowest of the six qualifying teams, but the Californians made the most of their hits and continued their run with their third straight win after a 1-2 start.</p><p>Visalia needed a win over Newtown (Conn.) on Wednesday to qualify as the National Division's No. 3 seed and has made the most of its chance with 27 runs in two elimination-round games.</p><p>West Raleigh outhit Visalia 9-7, but never could get into a groove.</p><p>Coming off a bye on Thursday, the North Carolina squad, the champions of the National Division, allowed eight runs over its four games of the tournament, but couldn't keep Visalia at bay.</p><p>In the opening inning, Visalia scored three times and added two more in the second, before a three-spot in the third.</p><p>West Raleigh added a pair of runs in both the third and fifth innings, however, left two runners in base during its attempted rally in the fifth.</p><p>Jewett then got out of another two-on situation in the bottom of the sixth inning to preserve the win for Visalia.</p><p>Payton Bloom had a two-run double to pace West Raleigh at the plate.</p>